Long story short, in 2013, I bought a pre-built computer, and put a GTX 770 in it. At the time, I didn't know enough about computers to build my own, really, so I had Geek Squad do it, since I was given warranty for free. Now, I plan on installing an older graphics card into it, and giving it to my uncle, and actually building my own.
I installed an older graphics card, and replaced my 600W power supply with my old one. I turn the computer on, only to hear 6 beeps. I looked up what this meant online, and basically the computer locks access to aftermarket GPUs. I put the 770 back in, and disabled Secure Boot, but I was still getting the same problem. I've exhausted what I know about PCs, and my warranty is expired, so I can't take it to Geek Squad.
Any suggestions as to what I could be doing wrong? Thanks.
CMOS might do it but it sounds like a OS thing. I have not heard of a BIOS locking down the hardware like that. I think some versions of Windows flip out if the hardware has changed enough.
I mean I wouldn't criticize geek squad, they got the job done, but it was just inconvenient timing for me.
As for the CMOS thing, I'm gonna try that before I go to sleep, but I don't know if that's the problem. I think my real mistake was buying a pre-built instead of building it myself, but I was too young to be able to buy stuff on my own then, and I didn't know much about PCs, so I kinda got screwed.
OP said that they were giving the computer to someone else, so I'm sure a fresh install of the OS is what they had planned anyways, if not, it's a good idea.
OP: Does the computer actually POST and attempt to boot with the graphics card installed? Usually those beep codes means the computer isn't able to even POST.
That much I understand, but I'm trying to get a clearer definition on what is actually happening with the other graphics card installed. Does the computer power on, give you the beeps but still POST? Do you see anything on the screen? Are you able to access the BIOS with the graphics card installed?
Also, what's the make and model of the computer? Did you try switching the BIOS from UEFI to Legacy (if applicable)?